While it has much in common with Plymouth – the nearest city to me during my childhood on Dartmoor – such as its prominent connection to the Royal Navy, there is nowhere else quite like Portsmouth. I moved to the UK’s Island City from Manchester just over a year and a half ago when I started working at The News. From learning the local lingo to finding out some surprising and sometimes, frankly, bizarre facts about its history, there was plenty of novelty for me to enjoy when I moved here – having only had one brief visit to the city before making it my home.
Here are 13 things I discovered during my first year as a resident of Portsmouth, Hampshire:
5. Where to see the best view - and get the best burgers
For some of the best views of the city, why not take a stroll up Portsdown Hill? There are some scenic walks on offer across the hill, much of which is designated as an area Site of Special Scientific Interest thanks to its abundance of wildlife. It's also home to Mick's Monster Burgers van, which I was told was a must-try when I moved here. You'd be hard pressed to find bigger burgers in the city. Picture: Habibur Rahman Photo: Habibur Rahman
6. Watch where you swim
Sea pollution is a prominient and contentious issue in and around Portsmouth, not least because the Solent is one of the world's busiest waterways. Beachgoers will be warned not to swim in Southsea this summer after the Environment Agency found a bathing site with poor water quality. Photo: Habibur Rahman
7. There's a nudist beach
The first time I walked along the seafront, starting at South Parade Pier and heading east, I was certainly in for an eyeful. As it turns out, Eastney Beach is popular with the naturist community. (l-r) Mike Houlsby (49), Simon Martin (40),Barry Knell (49) and Paul Lautman (48), members of the Eastney Beach Liason Group on Eastney Nudist Beach. PICTURE: MATT SCOTT-JOYNT (062414-229) Photo: The News
8. Traffic can be a nightmare
Since moving here, I have lost count of the number of times that traffic has ground to a halt due to the closure of Eastern Road, the major route on and off Portsea Island, maddening motorists across the city.Picture: DJI Fly Photo: DJI Fly